alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Looking at a new Fiesta yesterday, it struck me that it's about the same size and probably weighs more than my MkI Escort was.

The first ever Fiesta was a nice, small, light car, with fairly low running costs.

So WHY are cars getting bigger, model on model, resulting in manufacturers needing smaller cars to fill the gap they create? Does the public WANT bigger, heavier cars?

Alcazar

StickyMicky

the public is getting fatter

scoobynutta555

Factor in all the modern safety requirements and the excess weight you have and there's a good reason for bigger cars. Also due to congestion and longer journeys I'd say comfort and accessories like aircon etc are considered base items and not luxurys anymore.

Jaybird-UK

If the new Fiesta is bigger than the outgoing model then joe-dumb-public will assume its a better car.

We still need small cars hence the fill-in models appearing like Ka etc

Just accept it

Tam the bam

My first thoughts too, you don't see Mini metro type cars now which are weighd down at one side due to having a fat heffer at the wheel

warrenm2

health and safety innit

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

People have got bigger, hopefully it has peaked and we will start getting smaller.

Safety and all the stuff they have to cram in.

Gadgets.

Pedestrian safety and hard points raise bonnet lines, no sharp corners

More solid construction for suspension control, rigidity etc.

People carry more crap around these days, Mountain bikes, Golf Clubs, etc

Marketing and range expansion, remember a Fiesta is no longer Fords smallest car, theres the Ka as well, I suppose the spiritual successor to the Escort is the Focus which is even bigger in comparison but now it has two cars under it, there is no Granada any more, but the Mondeo (Cortina, Sierra succesor) has grown to be even bigger than the Granada.

ScoobyWon't

stilover

I saw a new Corsa parked next to a Mk1 Focus the other day. Looked the same size to me. 1 is a family hatch, the other is supposed to be a supermini.

That's why if Ford built a Fiesta RS, that would be the car to have. The Focus is too big & heavy now.

TopBanana

I think it's a marketing thing. If you owned an old Polo for example, then went to check out a new one, you'd supposedly be more likely to trade in if it was bigger.

Gutmann pug

Bigger ..............naaaah

skoobidude

We'll all eventually be clipping wingmirrors as we pass one another if cars keep growing.
It's about time parking spaces grew as well, or all future cars should perhaps have Lambo-style doors...

spireite

americanism

Petem95

I think a lot is so they win the group tests in the car mags to be honest.

"New fiesta beats the Corsa and Clio because its got 1cm more leg room, and bigger boot" etc..

More room is always looked at being a plus point.

skoobidude

Have you seen the bootspace in the new Corsa? My neighbour has one and it's laughable. Obviously sacrificed for rear passenger space.

GazJenno

I think its so they can use the same models in all countries... the small cars we used to have are far to small for the americans so they had different models, now they can use the larger cars were seeing in both europe and america! saves the big companies money...

...thats just my conspiracy theory anyway

Gaz

AllanB

Its because size is seen by the eneducated general public as being an indication of safety.


AllanB

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

That is the answer!

scoobynutta555

Rather ironic

andy97

iTrader: (1)

my Q7 is quite small

MooseRacer

Safety legislations.